Start and Improve Your Business - Success Stories 2025
Beyond the needle: a young designer stitching global ambitions in Zimbabwe
Young fashion designer Kudzai Chibi expanded his clothing business beyond his hometown after joining SIYB training under the BG4YE project, using new marketing skills to build a strong digital presence and reach new customers.
15 January 2026
Masvingo, Zimbabwe (ILO News) - For Kudzai Chibi, fashion has always been a form of self-expression. While still in high school in Masvingo, he began customising his school uniforms to stand out. “I have always been passionate about fashion and design. Even in high school, I was determined to stand out, so I carved my own unique style from the school uniforms,” he says.
Inspired and mentored by his mother, herself a designer, Kudzai decided to pursue fashion full-time after graduation. He launched his clothing business in downtown Masvingo, but limited foot traffic made it difficult to grow his customer base.
That changed when Kudzai joined the ILO Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training under the Business Growth for Young Entrepreneurs (BG4YE) project, implemented in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank. Through the training, he gained practical business skills and, most importantly, discovered the power of digital marketing.
The marketing module proved transformative. Kudzai learned how to use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to showcase his designs, build brand visibility and reach customers beyond his physical location. Applying these strategies led to tangible growth in both his clientele and confidence as an entrepreneur.
Today, Kudzai continues to expand his brand, driven by creativity, mentorship and the skills gained through SIYB. His journey shows how targeted entrepreneurship training can help young designers turn talent into sustainable business opportunities — and set their sights far beyond their hometown.